18 Apr Meet Pope Francis
Among the achievements of the American constitution is the allowance it makes for religious freedom. Anyone can spot indication of that provision by the numerous church steeples that dot this land, from San Francisco to D.C. When one considers the religious tensions present in many other parts of the world, it’s a remarkable thing to see differing faiths thriving peaceably in the same place.
We foster respect among alternate ways of looking at the world by becoming familiar with what other people believe because the American people collectively represent a variety of church groups. As we get to know each other, we degrade boundaries and cultivate friendship in its place. These days, Christianity remains the dominating religious view in the United States, with the biggest portion of that group composing the Roman Catholic Church. Speaking to this idea of respect, Pope Francis, the church’s leader, stated:
“Communication is born from an attitude of respect for the other person, from a conviction that the other person has something good to express. It assumes that there is room in the heart for the person’s point of view, opinion, and proposal. Dialogue involves a cordial reception, not a prior stricture. For you to dialogue, it is necessary to know the ways to lower the defenses, open the doors of the house, and offer human warmth.”
Francis is a person who has lived this idea, encouraging outreach to those on the periphery– both in terms of other faiths, along with those who are often overlooked by society, including the poor and underprivileged. All over his years as a religious leader, he has demonstrated a disposition to accompany those of other religions to build up each other, including offering support to Jews, Muslims, and other factions of Christianity, too.
As pope, he has shown a bend toward simplicity through choosing not to live in the papal apartment at the Vatican, and continuing to wear the cross he wore as an archbishop instead of the gold cross that was worn by popes that went before him. When he became the Archbishop of Argentina, the residence of the archbishop had blankets and food inside, and he took those things and gave them to people who needed them.
While serving in that same position, he also amazed people because he answered his own number instead of having other people vet calls for him. Additionally, he chose to use public transportation because it made it possible for him to communicate with people and see life through their lens. As he has said, “You don’t call the people to the churches; you need to be where the people are.”
Although born in Argentina, he speaks many languages aside from his native Spanish. He has a great love for the tango and for soccer (as most Argentinians do!). He was raised by his grandmother, and chose to pursue the holy life after having an experience that transformed him when he went in for confession as a youth.
He has frequently focused on themes of service, faith, love, reaching out to the poverty-stricken and less fortunate, protecting life, and the importance of marriage. He has told us that “when we forget our sisters and brothers who are suffering, we are sowing a seed of violence.” And, in a world that seems perpetually emphasized getting ahead at all costs, he offers this soft reminder: “Let us never forget that authentic power is service.” Francis is an example of one dedicated to his beliefs and committed to letting those beliefs affect his behaviors in everyday life.
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